SKU: 10010252235

The Great Dissent: How Oliver Wendell Holmes Changed His Mind--And Changed the History of Free Speech in America

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The Great Dissent: How Oliver Wendell Holmes Changed His Mind--And Changed the History of Free Speech in AmericaNo right seems more fundamental to American life than freedom of speech. Yet well into the twentieth century that freedom was still an unfulfilled promise, with Americans regularly imprisoned merely for speaking out against government policies. Indeed, free speech as we know it comes less from the First Amendment than from a most unexpected source: Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes. A lifelong skeptic, he disdained all individual rights,

No right seems more fundamental to American life than freedom of speech. Yet well into the twentieth century that freedom was still an unfulfilled promise, with Americans regularly imprisoned merely for speaking out against government policies. Indeed, free speech as we know it comes less from the First Amendment than from a most unexpected source: Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes. A lifelong skeptic, he disdained all individual rights, including the right to express one's political views. But in 1919, it was Holmes who wrote a dissenting opinion that would become the canonical affirmation of free speech in the United States.

Why did Holmes change his mind? That question has puzzled historians for almost a century. Now, with the aid of newly discovered letters and confidential memos, Thomas Healy reconstructs in vivid detail Holmes's journey from free-speech opponent to First Amendment hero. It is the story of a remarkable behind-the-scenes campaign by a group of progressives to bring a legal icon around to their way of thinking and a deeply touching human narrative of an old man saved from loneliness and despair by a few unlikely young friends.

Beautifully written and exhaustively researched, "The Great Dissent" is intellectual history at its best, revealing how free debate can alter the life of a man and the legal landscape of an entire nation."

Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Picador USA
Published: 09/09/2014
ISBN: 9781250058690
Pages: 322
Weight: 0.80lbs
Size: 9.10h x 6.00w x 1.00d

Review Citations: New York Times Book Review 10/19/2014 pg. 28

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SKU: 10010252235

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T
Tom Crawford
Charlottesville, US
★★★★★ 5
A must have for any Simpsons fan
Format: Paperback
For those of you who are fans of the hit television show "The Simpsons", you are probably well acquainted with the legendary "Treehouse of Horror" episodes that have become a Halloween tradition. These episodes have proven to be such a seasonal favorite that Groening and the gang have decided to dish out even more tales of terror in "Bart Simpson's Treehouse of Horror: Heebie-Jeebie Hullabaloo". Hullabaloo is a collection of comics and sketches that cleverly capture the humor and style of the Simpsons Halloween specials. Much like the television version, the main stories in Hullabaloo are parodies of famous horror films. The first story in the book is a parody of the classic horror film "The Blob". In the sketch, Simpsons character Sideshow Bob takes an experimental treatment that transforms him into "Sideshow Blob". Seizing the opportunity to take revenge on his nemesis Bart, Sideshow Blob squeezes out of prison and wreaks havoc on Springfield. After Springfield is saved from "Sideshow Blob", they barely have time to recover before Lisa becomes possessed by the evil spirit of Madonna in "The Exorsister", a combo-parody of the infamous "Exorcist" and the even more infamous Madonna. The book continues with additional parodies of films such as "Little Shop of Horrors", "The Invasion of the Body Snatchers", and "Cat People". In between the main features of the book are a plethora of comics, guides, and stories hosted by and featuring an assortment of Springfield characters. One of these guides features everyone's favorite slack-jawed yokel, Cletus Del Roy. Cletus presents to us "A Yokels Guide to Halloween" which teaches us how to celebrate Halloween like "Edgar Allan" Poe white trash. Another extra features Bart's "Guide to Low-Budget Costumes" which shows you how to cheaply transform yourself into horrid monsters such as "Vaselino, The Thing That Wouldn't Dry". You'll also find the story of "Elijah Dunn and the One-Armed Nun", Evil Dr. Burn's "Goodtime Servant Factory", "Springfield in Hell", and much, much more. Hullabaloo is colorful, fun, entertaining, and just in time for Halloween. The comical cast breathes sarcasm and humor into favorite horror classics. If you are a fan of the Simpsons and Halloween, then this book will not disappoint you.
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Reviewed in the United States on January 15, 2003
S
Verified Purchase
Sabre
Lowell, US
★★★★★ 4
Graphic Novel Review
Format: Paperback
I can say this comic is great though can't match the Simpsons TV show at least that is what I'm thinking. Still liked the stories has ones like Lisa getting possessed by Maddona and Sideshow Bob turning into a blob. Would recommend this to any Simpsons fan thought they could get a place in TV but that's jumping the gun.
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Reviewed in the United States on October 24, 2014
R
"rhino86oo"
Louisville, US
★★★★★ 5
My Review...
Format: Paperback
This is a great addition to the Simpsons' book family. It is just like the show, but you can spend as much time reading it as you want. I think this book is extermly fuuny. I have read pretty much every Simpsons' book and this is worth being next with them. I love how the Simpsons' comedy is different than other cartoons and even shows. The comedy is not always dark but it is not always light either. "Little Shop of Homers" was a great finisher. I wish it would of been longer, but it is OK. As with most people, one of my favorite parts in the Simpsons' comics are the in between things. For example, "Moe's Guide To Superstitions", "Bart Simpson-Master Of Disguise presents The Quick 'N' Easy, Low-Budget Do-It-Yourself Guide To COOL COSTUMES". Well, that is all I can really say. I suggest Simpson fans should read this. Keep them coming and I will keep reading.. Have A Nice LiFE! Ryan
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Reviewed in the United States on September 12, 2000
D
Daniel
Bozeman, US
★★★★★ 5
Best halloween special yet!
Format: Paperback
This is another of the many must have books for the true simpson fan. This book provides hours of laughs and would make a great gift. It has main stories, and in between shorts such as Springfield in #%*$, and a yocals guide to Halloween. I enjoy this book every time I pick it up, and you should to!
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Reviewed in the United States on May 12, 2000
O
Verified Purchase
Omar Sandoval
Lowell, US
★★★★★ 5
Holistic Understanding
Format: Paperback
I passed my CAPM exam in December 2025. This book helped me understand how all the pieces of the puzzle fit together for the CAPM. I also supplemented with other resources, but this book helped really tie everything together. Read it all and do all the practice quizzes and tests to really get a solid understanding. I'll look for PMP related books by the same author. Very well written and easy to understand.
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Reviewed in the United States on February 14, 2026

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